1st GRADE HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM CHOICES // 2021-2022 //

Hey mamas! In today’s video I’m sharing with you my curriculum choices for my upcoming 1st grader for the 2021-2022 school year!
Not only will I share the curriculum that we will be using, but I’ll also explain my thinking behind the choices.
Whether you have a homeschooler entering first grade next year, or will have one in the future, I hope you find this video helpful in thinking both about the curriculum you will choose!
Please let me know if you have any questions, and feel free to share any experience you have with homeschooling a 1st grader!
New here? Introduce yourself in the comments!
I’ll go first:
I’m Christina, a first-year homeschooling mom of 5 kids (ages 1, 2, 5, 10, & 13). I am also a full-time teacher, and just went back to teaching in person after about a year of teaching virtually. I’ll continue to share our homeschooling journey, and I’m excited to connect with you! I hope you feel encouraged here 🤍
✨Check out my 5th grade curriculum picks here: • 5th GRADE CURRICULUM C...
✨Check out my 9th grade curriculum picks here: • 9th GRADE CURRICULUM C...
✨Watch Nikki’s pre-K Curriculum Picks: here's my video link for tomorrow! • PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM P...
Check out some of her other videos and subscribe to her channel here: / @sixheartshomeschool
✨Watch Jess’ kindergarten Curriculum Picks: • KINDERGARTEN HOMESCHOO...
Check out some of her other videos and subscribe to her channel here: / thehomeschoolconvert
✨Follow me over on Instagram: / rooted_homeschool
✨ ✨Gather ‘Round Homeschool Curriculum: gatherroundhom...
✨Check out Thistles and Biscuits! : www.thistlesan...
✨The Good and The Beautiful: www.goodandbea...
✨✨Shop my Amazon favorites here! : www.amazon.com...
✨Email for collaborations: [e-mail]
#homeschoolmom #choosingcurriculum #readalouds #thegoodandthebeautiful
#readaloudfamily #firstgradecurriculum #curriculumpicks #homeschooling #homeschooladvice #firstgrade

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

Thistles & Biscuits’ resources are so beautiful! I recently purchased a few things during a sale and took advantage of their awesome free downloads, as well. I have so many nature study resources I need to go through to decide what to use and how to incorporate it all next year, but one of my options is from that shop. I love that you’re saving the snow and ice weather to make it line up with the season. Sounds like you have a great plan! Thanks for inviting me to collab with y’all!

[@RootedHomeLife]

I love everything she makes!

[@alyssamurchie483]

We have been through Explode the Code 1, and halfway through book 1 1/2 and we really enjoy it! We do TGTB handwriting, and my daughter likes it too! We alternate daily 1 page of Handwriting or 1 page of Explode the code. It's a gentle balance and still useful!

[@stephandlife43]

I’m so glad you said that not a lot of money needs to be spent in order to homeschool. Happy I found and sub’d to your channel!

[@RootedHomeLife]

It’s so true, right?! I’m so glad you’re here!!

[@lovely4833]

For our first year doing kindergarten we’re wrapping up and used TGATB math, language arts and handwriting we’ve also rotated with explode the code which was incredibly helpful for solidifying concepts in TGATB. For K we did pause at unit 4 to start back up with those beginning first grade. My kiddo is a good reader just reluctant and needs more confidence. We plan to do other exercises in rotation with TGATB next year like McGuffeys eclectic readers, all about spelling ordinary parents guide to teaching reading First language lessons for the well trained mind and bob books. When we paused and switched to those we really liked the combination and it’s helped with building his confidence in the areas where TGATB went a little fast for him. We still love the TGATB and see the progress that he’s made this year just with that before starting anything else, which we just needed to adjust for a little to his needs. TGATB is also pretty advanced and isn’t by actual grade level so K is more advanced K first grade so saving some for this August was perfect for us.

[@RootedHomeLife]

Love this! We just added in Explode the Code and we are loving it!!

[@daisychainprinciples3374]

Ice and snow sounds like a blast! Can’t wait to catch up on your other videos!

[@RootedHomeLife]

Right?! I’m really excited for it! And yay-enjoy!!

[@Stacey.Hamrick]

We absolutely love Gather Round in our house! I’ve been homeschooling for 9 years and Gather Round literally changed our homeschool ♥️. My kinder last year did the letters and numbers and we are so excited to start Ready to Read for 1st grade next year.

[@RootedHomeLife]

I can’t wait to try letters and numbers with my littlest ones when they’re ready!!

[@RockSimmer-gal4God]

It’s awesome that ur coming in 1st grader hasn’t gone to school. I can’t say that as my kids where pulled out of school but my youngest 2 won’t be going to school. As I’m in the U.K. and we’ve moving across the world we get the pdfs. We are moving to a place where there is no ice and snow. I’m excited for the new TGTB math. My kids are struggling with math. We love TGTB language arts.

[@RootedHomeLife]

She actually did go to half day pre-K last year, but she LOVES homeschooling!

[@jengillespie5114]

I love explode the code. My daughter is starting first also and loves it...I think because she can do it independently. Excited to see how your year turns out. Visiting from the Homeschool Convert. Have a great summer!

[@RootedHomeLife]

Thats awesome! My daughter loves to be able to do things on her own, so that would be great!! Welcome, and thank you-you have a great summer as well!

[@lovely4833]

Oh and for the handwriting we did okay with TGATB and finished level 1 but my son still needs more practice so we printed the samples for K to fill in the last week of school. We will be doing HWT next year since I bought last summer and we aren’t ready for level 2 handwriting from TGATB. Also it helps me incorporate hands on activities that are in the teachers guide that my almost 3 year old can do with us bc she gets upset if she doesn’t have “homework too”

[@RootedHomeLife]

My little guy wants to be a part of everything too!

[@samibuck]

We did Ready to Read 1&2 this year too! And are continuing with 3&4 for first grade! My daughter loves it and so do I

[@RootedHomeLife]

Awesome! We are loving it too!!

[@samibuck]

I purchased TGATB handwriting and my kids complain when I say to do it, but they don’t complain AT ALL about their GR copywork. I realized that’s enough practice for them, no need for extra handwriting. 😄

[@RootedHomeLife]

This is good to know, thank you!! I’m leaning towards skipping the handwriting, but trying the typing for my 5th grader (and possibly 9th grader)

[@samibuck]

@@RootedHomeLife you’re welcome! My 9 year old complained about TGATB typing too, so I just stopped. He’s a difficult little guy! Lol

[@SummerMeyers]

We use TGTB handwriting, and my kids love it--but I've been eyeing Gather Round... Love these curriculum videos you have been doing! 💕💕

[@RootedHomeLife]

Yay! I’m so glad!! Gather Round is definitely worth a shot, especially because it is not a year-long commitment-it’s one unit at a time!!

[@sixheartshomeschool]

Definitely gonna check out thistles & biscuit! I am a sucker for a good printable 🤩 and YES TO EXPLODE THE CODE! that by itself taught my oldest son how to read 🤗

[@RootedHomeLife]

You have to-it’s so good! What level would you start a 1st grader at for Explode the Code?

[@sixheartshomeschool]

@@RootedHomeLife I'd start at book 2 or 3!

[@RootedHomeLife]

@@sixheartshomeschool thanks!

[@virginialeonard7360]

Great information for next year

[@heathercox5801]

Hello! I'm from The homeschool Convert's channel. I didn't know that Gather Round did reading and math. I thought she just had science and Geography. We use TGTB handwriting and LA for my younger boy and I use Masterbooks for my soon to be 9 year old girl. I have a 10 year old that still goes to public school, her choice. But I'm glad I seen this video and will have to double check Gather Round. Thanks!

[@RootedHomeLife]

Hi Heather-welcome! Yes, math is included in the 4 Ready to Read Units! After that we’ll be trying the new math from TGTB! GR has so many different kinds of units-we just finished up Artists and the kids really enjoyed it 😊

[@HomeSweetHomeschoolLife]

Excited to see your family subjects!

[@RootedHomeLife]

Thanks Ashlea! Those are the ones I’m most excited about for sure!!

[@ThisReyesSchoolHouse]

Ready to Read program is intriguing! We’re going to use master books for language arts and although it includes reading spelling, it’s not enough, so I’m looking for something to supplement with!

[@RootedHomeLife]

We really love it! And if you have older kids the mini lessons are actually really interesting for them too! My 10 and 13 year old boys are always really interested !!

[@klecianetz2113]

As far as not needing a lot of money to homeschool, especially younger grades, the good and the beautiful will also have free pdf downloads of their new simply math levels 1-5 available as of August. So there's math and LA free (apart from printing costs) for levels 1-5. You have got me interested in Gather Round now though...

[@RootedHomeLife]

Yes! I love that about TGATB!

[@StaceyYoder]

So fun to see! Thanks for sharing! ❤️ 🙂

[@RootedHomeLife]

Yay, thanks for watching! ❤️

[@HerDailyJourney]

Thanks for sharing your picks. Love them.

[@RootedHomeLife]

Thanks for watching mama! ❤️

[@ninadeeken7981]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Explode the Code. Highly recommend!

[@RootedHomeLife]

In my Amazon cart! Thanks so much! ❤️

[@lifewithginab]

Great picks mama! 1st grade! So awesome ❤

[@RootedHomeLife]

Thanks Gina! ❤️

[@samibuck]

I want to try simply beautiful math 1 as well! It looks so cute

[@RootedHomeLife]

I can’t wait to see it!!

[@RootedHomeLife]

I secretly hope that Gather Round comes out with math at some point!!

[@samibuck]

@@RootedHomeLife ME TOO! That would be amazing!

[@angelar9319]

Your adorable! Love your videos! 💜

[@RootedHomeLife]

Aww thank you so much! And I’m so glad!! ❤️

[@SarahKHope]

Also did you feel like their handwriting included was enough? Or would the K TGATB handwriting book be a good additive?

[@SarahKHope]

I'm planning to do R2R this year for my 2 kindergarteners. I love what you're doing with Gia. Did you feel like their math was enough or would Simply K (TGATB) be a good addition, IYO?

[@ljks1755]

I saw that your using TGATB for high school LA! Curious if you considered using TGATB for your younger kids for LA? And why you chose not to go with that for your littles?

[@RootedHomeLife]

So sorry I missed this! I went back and forth about this actually-I love Gather Round and some of the other things we are using so I decided to hold off for now and be a bit more free/less intensive with the younger ones, and save it for when they are a little older😊